Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This is an issue that I have discussed with the producer organisations before, one I have clarified and one that the Marine Institute does a full assessment of. I outlined the challenges in that regard in my response. The quota areas, which are based on ICES areas, do not reflect economic zones. Regarding the most accurate assessment possible in respect of calculating this figure, the Marine Institute, which is the body that does that task, has calculated that we take 35.5% of the volume and 38.8% of the value of fish caught in 200-mile EEZ. On top of that, we catch an additional one third in British waters. That was why continuing to have access to British waters was so important coming out of Brexit and such an important strategic objective as well.

I will never believe that this share is enough and I will always fight for us to have more. I have fought that battle at European level every time and I have fought it consistently since I was appointed. However, this is the starting point in respect of the best possible assessment of what the figures are and what the reality is.

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